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Karnataka: 10 FIRs, 56 arrests, 94 wanted after radical Muslims attacked Ganpati visarjan procession in Mandya, inspector suspended over negligence

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: 10 FIRs, 56 arrests, 94 wanted after radical Muslims attacked Ganpati visarjan procession in Mandya, inspector suspended over negligence

A police officer has been placed on leave due to the instance involving stone pelting during Ganpati visarjan (immersion) on 11th September in the Nagamangala area of Mandya district in Karnataka. Ten First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed on 13th September. Fifty-six persons have been apprehended while authorities are searching for ninety others. A holiday has also been declared in educational institutions.

Meanwhile, an official was also suspended for negligence in duty during the riots. Police Inspector Ashok Kumar didn’t inform his senior officers about a similar incident during Ganesh Chaturthi in 2023 and failed to arrange adequate security arrangements this year as well. Mandya Superintendent of Police (SP) Mallikarjun Baladandi stated that the place near the mosque in Badrikoppalu village of Mandya is a sensitive area. More security forces could have been deployed there.

Police sources revealed that 150 people have been booked for violence and rioting. FIR has been registered under sections 16, 109, 115, 118, 121, 132, 189 and 190 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The authorities are collecting CCTV footage of the area to identify the perpetrators and gather information about them. Cops also arrested four individuals on 12th September. Earlier, 52 accused were produced in the court on the 12th of September evening. Mandya District Court sent them to judicial custody for 14 days.

On 12th September, a group of forensic specialists visited the spot to collect evidence. Locals mentioned that the situation in the area is still tense. The police department has imposed a curfew till 14th September and schools and colleges have also been closed. The police conducted a flag march in Nagamangala town and additional security forces have been deported there.

Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also formed a five-member committee regarding the issue. “State President Vijayendra Yediyurappa has formed a fact-finding team of leaders to determine the truth of the occurrence that transpired during the Ganpati visarjan procession in Nagamangala and has directed to submit a comprehensive report,” the party wrote on social media.

The youths of Badrikoppalu village were taking out a Ganpati visarjan procession in the town. People from the Muslim community on Mysore Road got into a heated confrontation with the participants as soon as the procession started to cross the road close to a mosque. When the Muslim extremists noticed the disagreement, they began throwing stones at the procession and weapons were also brandished. Many people including some policemen were also injured in the attack. The culprits vandalized shops and set the goods on fire. About 25 shops were reportedly looted, damaged and set ablaze. Multiple vehicles were also burned and destroyed.

Notably, such occurrences during Ganpati visarjan happened in other parts of the nation as well. Muslims including children in Surat and Kutch pelted stones at Ganesha pandals and damaged the idol. An Islamic flag was raised in a temple. Moreover, an Islamic mob attacked a pandal in Lucknow amid “Allah-hu-Akbar” slogans and issued death threats. Likewise, Muslims in Vadodara displayed flags in Arabic outside their homes in opposition to the Ganesha pandals. There was also unrest and stone pelting over installing similar flags on Ganesha Chaturthi in Bharuch as well.

‘I’m not your dad, get out!’: Scientist Anand Ranganathan after journalist-turned-politician-turned-journalist Ashutosh has a meltdown during a news debate

OpIndia Staff
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‘I’m not your dad, get out!’: Scientist Anand Ranganathan after journalist-turned-politician-turned-journalist Ashutosh has a meltdown during a news debate

Journalist-turned-politician-turned-journalist Ashutosh on Friday had a meltdown while debating during a news show on Times Now Navbharat. Ashutosh reportedly lost his cool after scientist Anand Ranganathan allegedly commented on the issue of which politician Ashutosh met in a backdoor meeting.

A visibly irate Ashutosh being flanked by other co-panellists, including Tehseen Poonawalla, hurled abuses at Dr Ranganathan and threatened him on live television as host Navika Kumar tried to calm things down.

“He constantly comments on me. Ask him to stop making remarks about me,” said Ashutosh, as Ms Kumar tried to lower the temperatures and remind him that it could hurt his health.

Dr Ranganathan, on the other hand, sedately watched the meltdown, reacting only when Ashutosh tried to threaten him after hurling a volley of abuses. “I’m not your dad, get out!” Dr Ranganathan shot back as Ashutosh kept grumbling.

DRDO conducts successful Field Firing Trials of Indian Light Tank ‘Zorawar’, flight test of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile done with Indian Navy

OpIndia Staff
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DRDO conducts successful Field Firing Trials of Indian Light Tank ‘Zorawar’, flight test of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile done with Indian Navy

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on September 13, 2024, successfully conducted the preliminary automotive trials of the Indian light Tank, Zorawar, a highly versatile platform capable of deployment in high-altitude areas. During the field trials conducted in the desert terrain, the Light Tank demonstrated exceptional performance, efficiently meeting all the intended objectives. In the initial phase, the tank’s firing performance was rigorously evaluated and it achieved the required accuracy on designated targets.

Zorawar has been successfully developed by the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), a unit of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro Ltd. Numerous Indian industries, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), contributed to the development of various sub-systems, showcasing the strength of indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities within the country.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh lauded DRDO, the Indian Army, and all associated industry partners for the successful trials of the Indian Light Tank. He described the achievement as a significant milestone towards India’s goal of self-reliance in critical defence systems and technologies.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat also extended congratulations to the entire team involved in the project.

Successful flight tests of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile

DRDO and the Indian Navy also conducted back-to-back successful flight tests of the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VLSRSAM). The second consecutive test was conducted on September 13, 2024, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha. 

The missile intercepted a high-speed aerial target, flying at a very low altitude and simulating a sea-skimming threat, which showcased its precision and capability to neutralise targets. This follows the earlier test on September 12, 2024, when the VLSRSAM missile effectively engaged another low-altitude target. These consecutive tests not only demonstrate the weapon system’s reliability but also validate the recent upgrades made to various components of the system.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh lauded DRDO, the Indian Navy & all associated teams for the successful flight tests and stated that this missile equipped with modern technologies will give further technological boost to the Armed Forces. 

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and Chairman DRDO, Dr. Samir V Kamat also congratulated the teams involved in the flight tests of the VLSRSAM system.

After Sanjauli, protests break out in Mandi in Himachal over illegal mosque construction, water canon used on Hindu protestors

ANI
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After Sanjauli, protests break out in Mandi in Himachal over illegal mosque construction, water canon used on Hindu protestors

Hindu organisations staged a protest over an alleged illegally constructed mosque in Mandi on Friday. As the crowd tried to bring down the line of barricades, police resorted to firing water cannon to disperse the crowd.

The protests had been called for by Hindu organisations even after Mosque authorities demolished parts of the complex that were allegedly unauthorized. Large crowds of protestors gathered along the jail road in Mandi and shouted slogans against the state government demanding action against the alleged illegal construction.

Earlier in the day, the Himachal Pradesh Police tightened security and placed barricades in the Jail Road area in Mandi on Friday.

According to Mandi Superintendent of Police Sakshi Verma, the heightened security was done following information received by the police of a gathering called by some organisation.

This protest followed those those that broke out over the illegal construction of a mosque in the Sanjauli area of the city on Wednesday.

Around 300 police personnel were deployed across the city and police nakas were placed at the entrance of Mandi town, Verma added.

“Law and order will be maintained. Through different sources, we have information that some organisations have given a call to gather here. 300 police personnel have been deployed, and police nakas have been placed at the entrance of Mandi town. Action will be taken on violation of prohibitory orders under 163 BNS,” SP Verma said.

However, BJP spokesperson Chetan Bragta criticised the Police for using force to disperse the protestors, “Another brazen attack on Hindus by the Congress government of Himachal, this time in Mandi. First Shimla, now this–using water cannons and force to suppress people. What exactly is this government trying to achieve?”

Earlier today, the police released the stone-pelting video of Wednesday’s protest held in Sanjauli over the alleged illegal construction of a mosque in Shimla.

Eight FIRs had been registered so far and six policemen were injured in the protest, including a woman police officer who had vertebral fractures and is in a serious condition.

Earlier on Wednesday, protestors removed the first layer of barricading and clashed with the security forces while entering the Dhalli Tunnel East portal during their protest march. Police personnel used water cannons and resorted to lathi-charge to disperse protestors heading towards the Sanjauli area of Shimla.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Days after Delhi govt renews firecrackers ban ahead of Diwali festivities, AAP workers celebrate bail granted to Kejriwal by bursting firecrackers

OpIndia Staff
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Days after Delhi govt renews firecrackers ban ahead of Diwali festivities, AAP workers celebrate bail granted to Kejriwal by bursting firecrackers

AAP workers on Friday celebrated bail granted to party chief Arvind Kejriwal by bursting firecrackers, days after their government renewed the firecrackers ban ahead of the Diwali festive season.

Workers belonging to the Aam Aadmi Party were seen bursting firecrackers outside CM Arvind Kejriwal’s residence after the Supreme Court granted him bail in the Delhi liquor scam case.

The Delhi government announced a total ban on all types of firecrackers until January 1, 2025, as part of efforts to combat the annual winter surge in air pollution in the capital. State Environment Minister Gopal Rai stated that the ban, enforced under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, covers the manufacturing, storage, sale, and use of all firecrackers, including “green” crackers.

During a press conference, Rai mentioned that Delhi experiences a rise in air pollution during the winter months, and the use of firecrackers further contributes to local emissions.

The minister stated, “Given the circumstances, as was done last year, a full ban is being implemented on the production, storage, sale, and use of all firecrackers to protect people from pollution. This ban will also extend to the online sale and delivery of any kind of firecrackers.”

A DPCC official added that a formal notification regarding the ban will be released in the coming days.

Arvind Kejriwal granted bail

On Friday (13th September), the Supreme Court of India granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection to the liquor policy scam case. 

The development came more than three months after he surrendered to the authorities at the Tihar jail. The court noted that the arrest of the Delhi Chief Minister was valid and that there was no illegality on the part of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail after the apex court noted that the trial is unlikely to be completed in the immediate future. On the other hand, the CBI had opposed the bail application, citing the possibility of tampering with evidence.

Modi govt renames Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram, Amit Shah says decision inspired by vision to free the nation from colonial imprints

OpIndia Staff
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Modi govt renames Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram, Amit Shah says decision inspired by vision to free the nation from colonial imprints

The Union Government on Friday decided to rename Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands as Sri Vijaya Puram. This was announced by union Home Minister Amit Shah on social media. He tweeted: Inspired by the vision of PM @narendramodi Ji, to free the nation from the colonial imprints, today we have decided to rename Port Blair as “Sri Vijaya Puram.”

With this decision, Sri Vijaya Puram becomes the capital city of the Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

He said that while the earlier name had a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolises the victory achieved in our freedom struggle and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ unique role in the same. Amit Shah said, “Andaman & Nicobar Islands have an unparalleled place in our freedom struggle and history. The island territory that once served as the naval base of the Chola Empire is today poised to be the critical base for our strategic and development aspirations.”

The home minister further added that “it is also the place that hosted the first unfurling of our Tiranga by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Ji and also the cellular jail in which Veer Savarkar Ji and other freedom fighters struggled for an independent nation.”

Earlier in 2018, the Modi government had renamed three islands of Andaman and Nicobar archipelago as a tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The Ross Island was renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, the Neil Island as Shaheed Dweep and the Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep, Modi said during a speech amidst thunderous applause from the audience here. These three islands are major tourist spots.

Then in January 2023, the govt named 21 large unnamed islands of the Union territory after Param Vir Chakra awardees on the occasion of Parakram Diwas. The prime minister had also unveiled the model of the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji to be built on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, earlier known as Ross Islands.

Annamalai apologises, BJP is left red-faced after posting video of businessman bowing and apologising to FM Nirmala Sitharaman for raising GST concerns

OpIndia Staff
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Annamalai apologises, BJP is left red-faced after posting video of businessman bowing and apologising to FM Nirmala Sitharaman for raising GST concerns

In an embarrassing development for the Bharatiya Janata Party, Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai had to apologise for his party cadre sharing a video that showed a Coimbatore businessman bowing down and apologising to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman after asking her a question on GST concerns.

During a meeting of the FM with the business community in Coimbatore on September 11, MD Srinivasan, the owner of the Sree Annapoorna chain of restaurants, and the honorary president of Tamil Nadu Hotels Association asked the Finance Minister about the confusing GST rates in different food items. He mentioned the 5% GST on sweets, and 12% on savories, and 18% on cream buns, and no GST on buns alone. Amid loud laughter and cheers, he was seen presenting his concerns in a hilarious manner, adding that even his computer gets confused about the GST rates and how customers say that they can add the cream and jam on their own if he gives them just the bun.

However, soon after some BJP leaders from Tamil Nadu shared a video where the same restaurant owner was seen bowing down before the Finance Minster and apologising to her, likely for his earlier questions that triggered laughter and jokes from the attendees in the meeting.

Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan was also seen present in the video where the Annapoona restaurant owner was apologising to Nirmala Sitharaman. The businessman was seen saying, “Please pardon me for my comments. I do not belong to any political party.”

The video of the businessman apologising to the FM was shared by Tamil Nadu BJP social media cell.

Soon, the video caused a widespread outrage as people started questioning why was the businessman made to apologise for asking a question. Many even questioned the bad optics the video generated and questioned the Tamil Nadu BJP’s reasoning behind recording the video of the apology and then sharing it on social media.

‘Arrogance’, say Opposition parties

The video of the businessman apologising created massive outrage on social media. “When the owner of a small business, like Annapoorna restaurant in Coimbatore, asks our public servants for a simplified GST regime, his request is met with arrogance and outright disrespect. Yet, when a billionaire friend seeks to bend the rules, change the laws, or acquire national assets, Modi Ji rolls out the red carpet”, posted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

DMK MP Kanimozhi posted a verse of Thirukural and wrote the Union Government and its minister should not hurt the self esteem of Tamil Nadu.

Amar Gvindarajan of Swarajya Magazine criticised the decision of TN BJP to share the video and wrote that it was a damaging decision to share the video and some BJP leaders are only concerned about their own social media.

Anamalai apologises for the video sharing, but does not say anything about the businessman’s ‘apology’

Following a massive outrage on social media, TN BJP chief Annamalai posted an apology for the video shared by his party cadre on social media.

“On behalf of BJP Tamilnadu, I sincerely apologise for the actions of our functionaries who shared a private conversation between a respected business owner and our Hon. FM. I spoke with Thiru Srinivasan Avl, the esteemed owner of the Annapoorna chain of Restaurants, to express regret for this unintended breach of privacy. Annapoorna Srinivasan Anna is a pillar of Tamil Nadu’s business community, contributing significantly to the state’s and nation’s economic growth. I request everyone to lay the matter to rest with due respect”, Annamalai posted on X.

Curiously, as pointed out by many on social media, Annamalai’s apology was about his party cadre sharing the video, thereby ‘breaching the privacy’ of MD Srinivasan, but not about how and why a prominent member of the business community had to apologise for asking questions and raising concerns over GST.

Journalist assaulted by Congress in US for asking Sam Pitroda if Rahul Gandhi will discuss attack on Hindus in Bangladesh: ‘Sam was shaken by question, it was a nightmare’, says the journalist

OpIndia Staff
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Journalist assaulted by Congress in US for asking Sam Pitroda if Rahul Gandhi will discuss attack on Hindus in Bangladesh: ‘Sam was shaken by question, it was a nightmare’, says the journalist

Last week, a journalist associated with the India Today media network was assaulted by Congress workers in Dallas, Texas. during Rahul Gandhi’s US visit. Journalist Rohit Sharma had gone to Texas to cover Indian Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s much-anticipated visit. During the event, Sharma was harassed by the Congress workers as he raised the question of Hindus killed in Bangladesh at the hands of Islamists after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government there.

As per the India Today report, Sharma approached the Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) Sam Pitroda for an exclusive interview hours before Gandhi was scheduled to arrive at the DFW International Airport. The entire interview went well until the last question posed by the journalist.

As the interview drew closer to the conclusion, Sharma asked, “Will Rahul Gandhi raise the issue of Hindus being killed in Bangladesh during his meetings with US lawmakers?” Before Pitroda could respond to the question, other 20-30 close associates and supporters of Congress and Rahul Gandhi who were present during the interview began creating chaos saying that the question asked by Sharma was ‘controversial’.

They assaulted him, snatched his phone, and deleted the entire video of the interview.

While Pitroda said, “It’s up to Rahul and the lawmakers to decide what’s relevant, I can’t speak on their behalf but…,” other Congress workers snatched the phone of the journalist and began saying, “Band Karo, Band Karo (Stop it, Stop it).” The workers in the midst of this allowed Pitroda to escape away under the guise of receiving Rahul Gandhi.

“Sam was as visibly shaken as I was, urging calm. However, Rahul’s supporters and team had made their decision. One individual tried to grab my mic, but I resisted. They managed to stop the recording by forcibly taking my phone,” Sharma said.

Later at least 15 men stayed in the room, demanding that Sharma erase the final question from the interview. He kept insisting saying that the issue was not controversial and that their actions were unethical. However, they continued, grabbing his phone and going through it, even attempting to delete the interview. The workers refused to leave Sharma alone and forced him to delete the interview.

The Congress workers then unlocked Sharma’s phone without his consent and proceeded to delete the interview from the folder. “Desperate to ensure no trace of the interview remained, they even checked my iCloud – my phone was in airplane mode during the recording, preventing the video from syncing,” Sharma said narrating the ordeal of 30 agonizing minutes.

Later, the workers also discussed keeping Sharma’s phone for 4 more days. But the journalist firmly demanded it back. The latter also thought of calling the police but couldn’t. “Once outside, I texted Sam to tell him what had happened. He suggested we could record another interview the next day. But unsurprisingly, it never happened,” Sharma added.

However, Gandhi was eventually asked the same question by another journalist of India Today at the Press Club event. Hindus in Bangladesh have been facing horror at the hands of Islamists after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government earlier last month. Since then, Gandhi and his party have maintained silence provoking the BJP to question the same. Attacking, and harassing journalists for rightly performing their duty is condemnable. Detailed narration about the given incident of harassment of Sharma can be read here.

Allahabad HC slams ISIS poster boy advocate Mehmood Pracha, imposes Rs 1 lakh penalty for plea questioning authenticity of election videography

OpIndia Staff
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Allahabad HC slams ISIS poster boy advocate Mehmood Pracha, imposes Rs 1 lakh penalty for plea questioning authenticity of election videography

On 10th September, the Allahabad High Court fined lawyer Mehmood Pracha Rs 1 lakh for wasting the court’s valuable time, reported Live Law. He brought a writ case against the verifiability, integrity, authentication, and security of videography during the electoral process. Furthermore, the court disapproved of his behaviour in showing up for the video conference wearing his coat and band and arguing the case without notifying the court that he would be there in person.

The bench of Justice Shekhar B. Saraf and Justice Manjive Shukla also instructed him to be “cautious” going forward and ensure he upholds the dignity and decorum of the court.

The Delhi High Court had received two petitions from him on the same issue and both times the rulings were pronounced to his satisfaction, according to the court. He nonetheless proceeded to the Allahabad High Court in pursuit of similar redress. The bench expressed its failure to comprehend the reason for his decision to submit the first two writ petitions before the Delhi High Court and then approach the Allahabad High Court. The pleas concerned the elections of the 7-Rampur Loksabha Constituency in Uttar Pradesh for the year 2024.

The bench observed, “This court is unable to understand this shift being made by the petitioner when the petitioner had gone on record before the Delhi High Court stating that his prayer stands satisfied. The petitioner cannot jump or shift mid-way and choose the forum he prefers. He could have approached the Delhi High Court once again as the cause of action remains the same and appears to be only incidental to the earlier prayers granted by the Delhi High Court.”

The court voiced its surprise at learning that the advocate would be making an in-person appearance as he was witnessed donning a coat and band during the hearing. The court mentioned that it learned of the development only after it delivered its order, seeking to impose costs on the petitioner. The court pointed out that he had not taken off his band before the argument and was astonished at this behaviour. It further stressed that this conduct was inappropriate for a senior attorney, who should be acquainted with the fundamental conduct necessary when speaking to the bench in person.

The bench commented, “This behaviour is not expected of a senior member of the bar who is expected to be aware of the basic etiquette to be followed while addressing the bench in person. Mr. Pracha is directed to be cautious in the future and ensure that he maintains the decorum and dignity of the court. Another aspect to be noted is that the petitioner had filed this writ petition through an Advocate (Mr. Omar Zamin). Having done so he could not have appeared in person without removing his advocate or having taken leave of the court.”

The court discarded his writ petition with a cost of Rs. 1,00,000, which is to be paid to the Uttar Pradesh State Legal Services Authority within 30 days of the date. In addition to the ‘inappropriate methodology’ he employed during his in-person appearance, the order was issued due to the writ petition being submitted incorrectly, which cost this court valuable time. The court instructed the Registrar General to take the appropriate steps to recover the amount in compliance with the law if the penalty is not reimbursed.

Controversial past of Mehmood Pracha

Advocated Mehmood Pracha is one of the most vocal voices among radical Muslims in the country. In 2020, an India-centric journal was started by a pro-ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) media outlet. The journal called “Voice of Hind” was published by Al-Qitaal Media Center and Junudul Khilafah al-Hind and featured Mehmood Pracha on its cover page.

He is the founder and national convenor of “Mission Save Constitution” (MSC) which planned to arrange an “All India Muslim Mahapanchayat” in the Ramlila Maidan in the national capital on 29th October of last year in response to the ‘atrocities’ committed against Muslims in India. The permission provided to MSC on 16th October was rescinded by the Delhi police upon discovering the event’s communal nature. The following day, the reservation at the Ramilla Maidan was also cancelled.

His video on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) went viral on social media in February of this year in which he was seen spreading propaganda and provoking people. “UCC is a conspiracy. It is not the Uniform Civil Code. It is the Uniform Story Code. RSS governments promote it in different states and parts of the country. They aim to snatch the rights of 99 per cent of the citizens of the country and give them to Adani and Ambani. They want to loot money from all banks and give it to their workers and help them flee the country,” he claimed.

 

‘You will have to hit the roads soon’: Sarwar Chishti, who supported economic boycott of Hindus, now incites Muslims to retaliate over Waqf amendment bill. Here is why it is dangerous

OpIndia Staff
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‘You will have to hit the roads soon’: Sarwar Chishti, who supported economic boycott of Hindus, now incites Muslims to retaliate over Waqf amendment bill. Here is why it is dangerous

A video of Sarwar Chishti, a member of the Anjuman Committee of the Ajmer dargah, went viral on social media on Wednesday (11th September). He was seen inciting Muslims to hit the streets and create chaos under the pretext of opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill of 2024.

“It’s a matter of shame that our dignity is at risk. Our houses are being bulldozed, mobs lynching us and mosques, dargahs and mazars are being demolished,” he was heard saying.

Chishti lamented, “The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 has been brought in by the government. We are asking Muslims to scan the QR Code and ensure the rejection of the bill. As of 10th September, only 40 lakh Muslims have scanned the QR code.”

“Why are you sleeping, Miyan? You will have to hit the roads soon. You have already been late in retaliation by unnecessarily tolerating injustice,” the Khadim of the Ajmer Dargah continued to provoke.

“A person who tolerates injustice is worse than a cruel person. You are living in a democratic country at least use those rights. Why are you not doing it?” he pleaded Muslims to create a law and order situation

“I have said this before and want to say it again from my heart – Please acknowledge someone as your leader. I see Asaduddin Owaisi bravely raise his voice over issues (concerning Muslims),” Sarawar Chishti added.

He was seen endorsing Maulana Tauqir Raza and Sajjad Nomani, the radical Islamic preacher behind the Bhagwa Love trap conspiracy theory.

Criminal antecedents of Sarwar Chishti and his family

On 6th July 2022, Sarwar Chishti provoked Muslims to act against those who make alleged blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad.

“The situation in the country right now, is such that people are committing blasphemy. They are doing mischief in the glory of the Prophet, in the glory of the Khwaja. We will not tolerate this at all. We will launch such a massive agitation that the whole Hindustan will shake,” he had threatened.

A few days later, an audio clip went viral on social media wherein the radical Islamic preacher was heard calling for an economic boycott of the Hindu community.

“No one should buy anything from their shops in the Dargah Bazar area and the Nalla Bazar area. They earn only through the lovers of the Khwaja Sahab. And see what courage they are attempting, they are closing the shops in front of us. They are supporting Nupur Sharma. Spread this word everywhere you can, so that no one transacts a single rupee with them,” he was heard saying.

Sarwar Chishti was also caught on camera inciting a group of Muslims. In a viral video, he was seen saying that Muslims were the rulers of India for hundreds of years and that by changing the names of railway stations, the current government could erase the fact that Muslims ruled the country.

He had warned the administration saying that such activities will only force the Muslims to aim to rule India again. In 2020, Chishti glorified the Islamic terror outfit ‘People’s Front of India (PTI)’ as an organisation that was supposedly “trying to save the Indian Constitution.”

Chishtis of Ajmer Dargah have made many hateful statements in the recent past. Sarwar Chishti’s son Aadil made derogatory things about Hindu deities.

“If Nupur Sharma is a Hindu, I have a few questions for her. How can one believe in the existence of 333 crore gods? How is this logical? We can understand if there is one god. We all are equal as humans irrespective of our religions. We believe in the existence of god and that there is an absolute god. There can be different interpretations of people of different religions. But, 333 crore gods, a wholesale of gods, how can that be believable? I feel that even if a person lives a thousand years, he cannot possibly please all 333 crore gods and goddesses,” Aadil had claimed.

Sarwar Chishti’s nephew Gauhar Chishti gave ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ calls demanding beheading of Nupur Sharma and those who allegedly insulted Prophet Muhammad.

He also met Kanhaiya Lal’s killers, who was brutally was killed in Udaipur for sharing a social media post supporting Nupur Sharma.

Controversy surrounding Waqf Amendment Bill

The Waqf Act 1995 empowers the Waqf Board to declare any property or building as Waqf property in the name of charity.

Recently, it came to light that the Waqf Board has issued notifications to declare protected monuments as Waqf properties, resulting in conflicts with the rights granted under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, which was introduced in Lok Sabha on 8th August this year, proposed several major changes to the Waqf Act. One of the most significant is the removal of contributions by non-Muslims.

It changed the definition of ‘Waqf’, which states that it is the dedication of any movable or immovable property by a person practising Islam for at least five years.

It added that the creation of waqf-alal-aulad (An endowment for the family of the donor) should not result in the denial of inheritance rights of heirs, including women heirs of the donor.

The amendment further added maintenance of widows, divorced women and orphans to the use of proceeds of such dedicated property.

The amendment introduced the position of Collector who would exercise powers some of which were once vested with the Waqf Board. The new act mandated all registered waqfs to file details of the waqf and properties dedicated to the waqf.

The amendment added a provision to stop the misappropriation of govt land by claiming to be waqf property.

It stated that any government property ‘identified’ or ‘declared’ as waqf, before or after the Amendment, should not be deemed to be waqf property. In case of dispute, the collector would conduct an enquiry.

As per current law, the decision of the Tribunal in case of any dispute regarding waqf property is final, which can’t be challenged. The amendment changes this, saying that a suit can be constituted within a period of two years from the publication of the list of waqf properties.

Section 40 the waqf act, which allows the board to collect information regarding any property which it has reason to believe to be waqf property, has been abolished.

It further states that two non-Muslilm members will be appointed to the Waqf Board, apart from two women members.

Creation of waqf without execution of a waqf deed has been stopped, and the Collector will conduct an enquiry into the genuineness of the application. If it is found to be disputed or govt property, registration won’t be done.

An alarming moment

Radical Islamic preachers across the country are making inflammatory speeches and brainwashing Muslim youth about the Waqf Amendment Bill of 2024.

They are building consensus at the ground level and carrying out a nefarious campaign to set the foundation for large-scale riots in the name of Islam.

The playbook was in force during the anti-CAA agitation of 2019 in Shaheen Bagh and Jamia Nagar, which later culminated into the anti-Hindu Delhi riots of 2020.

If the likes of Sarwar Chishti continue to incite, provoke and spew venom, then, India can easily witness an alarming law and order situation across the length and breadth of the country.

The governments both at the State and Centre must act against radical Islamic preachers with all their might and quash any movement designed to hold the administration to ransom.

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